163rd Anniversary Commemoration:
- The Phulaguri Dhewa is commemorated annually by locals in Phulaguri, Assam, as a tribute to the peasants who were martyred by British forces during the uprising in 1861.
Introduction
- The Phulaguri Uprising, also known as Phulaguri Dhawa, was a significant agrarian revolt that took place in October 1861 in Phulaguri, Assam.
- It was one of the earliest instances of peasant resistance against British colonial policies in Northeast India.
Background
- Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British Crown took direct control of India.
- New taxation policies were imposed to recover costs of the 1857 Rebellion and to compensate East India Company shareholders.
- In Assam, these policies led to increased taxes on agricultural produce such as crops (eg. betel nut and leaf), fisheries, fodder, timber, and silkworm feed.
- Additionally, the British banned poppy cultivation in 1860, affecting local economies and traditional practices.
- The situation became tense in the Nowgong district (present-day Nagaon), where Phulaguri is situated.
- Lieutenant Herbert Sconce, the deputy commissioner, received mass protests from farmers but his dismissive response worsened the situation.
The Uprising
- In response to British policies and officials’ indifference, the farmers of Phulaguri organized a raijmel (people’s assembly) in October 1861.
- The assembly, attended by thousands, served as a platform for discussing and protesting oppressive taxes and regulations.
- On October 18, 1861, Lieutenant B. Singer, the Assistant Commissioner of Nowgong, arrived with police forces to disperse the assembly.
- A confrontation ensued, resulting in the deaths of Lieutenant Singer and two policemen.
- In retaliation, British forces launched reprisals, leading to the deaths of at least 69 Assamese farmers.
Aftermath
- The uprising was brutally suppressed by the British, but it marked the first recorded peasant revolt against colonial rule in Assam.
- It underscored the growing discontent among the rural populace due to exploitative economic policies.
Significance
- The uprising served as a precursor to later movements challenging British authority in India.
- It is commemorated in Assam as a symbol of resistance and sacrifice, with memorials and annual observances like ‘Smriti Divas’ (Memorial Day) in Phulaguri.
- These observances honor the legacy of those who participated in this early anti-colonial struggle.
Commemorated annually, the Phulaguri Uprising remains a powerful symbol of resilience and sacrifice, reflecting Assam’s enduring spirit in the face of colonial oppression.
